Marijuana States Get Protected from DEA

As expected, language in the $1.8 trillion federal spending bill recently passed by Congress seeks to protect patients in medical marijuana states such as California.

The bill is expected to be signed by President Obama.

One of the so-called riders in the legislation was a renewal of last years protections, co-authored by Reps. Dana Rohrabacher of Orange County and Sam Farr of Carmel, California.

It essentially prohibits the Department of Justice from using federal funds to enforce drug laws against medical marijuana businesses operating legitimately in states where medical pot is legal.

Another rider would prevent the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration from using federal funds to interfere with state hemp research.

However, critics noted that the spending bill will not include amendments that sought to allow U.S. Veterans Affairs doctors to prescribe medical marijuana and that sought to allow banks to do business with marijuana businesses in states where they’re legal. Read More…

“The Obama Administration has actively supported scientific research on whether marijuana or its components can be safe and effective medicine. Eliminating the Public Health Service review should help facilitate additional research to advance our understanding of both the adverse effects and potential therapeutic uses for marijuana or its components.”